Canine osteoarthritis is common in middle-aged and older dogs and causes chronic pain that is frequently under-treated, but modern management options can significantly improve quality of life.
Canine arthritis is the most common cause of chronic pain in companion dogs and is substantially undertreated. Many owners attribute the behavioural changes of arthritis - reduced activity, slower rising, reluctance to jump - to 'normal ageing', missing treatable pain. The welfare gap between the current average treatment of arthritic dogs and what evidence-based management could achieve is large. Veterinary education in arthritis pain scoring, owner education in recognising early signs, and access to multi-modal pain management are all priorities for improving the welfare of the millions of dogs living with this condition.